Roll-up awning supporting bracket



April 7, 1959 ROLL-UP AWNING Filed May 2, 1956 D. MACY ET AL SUPPORTING BRACKET 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l' g 0 0 d 5 l *l, r 1 u I 'i 4 601% i l I i W6 l '70 5 14a /74 INI/EA/TOES; DONALD Mac): HARRY NELSON,

. HTTOE APril 1959 DvMACY ET AL 2,880,795

ROLL-UP AWNING SUPPORTING BRACKET Filed May 2, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6) Lu MEN 2s: 45 fj DON/22 0 MZZy 2 1oz v Mme Alb-L56,

v %U 54 46 25 54 I32 a-riiZZii/ United States Patent ROLL-UP AWNING SUPPORTING BRACKET Donald Macy, Richmond Heights, Mo., and Harry Nelson, McKeesport, Pa., assignors to Artcraft Venetian Blind Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of lVlissouri Application May 2, 1956, Serial No. 582,209 8 Claims. (Cl. 160-56) The present invention relates generally to roll-up awnings, and more particularly to novel arrangement for supporting a roll-up awning in a manner to avoid interference with a casement window.

Briefly, the invention involves supporting structure for roll-up awnings of the type comprising a flexible curtain having one end secured to the upper horizontal frame member of a window opening and having the other end disposed about a horizontal spring roller which can be positioned to support the curtain in a sloping attitude out in front of the vertical window opening. When used in conjunction with ordinary sliding sash windows, the curtain may, of course, be extended in a single sloping plane without interfering in any way with the window with which it is associated. When used with a casement window with which it is associated. When used with a casement window, however, such an awning requires support intermediate its upper and lower ends so as to provide a hip which will accommodate the outward swing of the window sash.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide novel structure for supporting a roll-up awning in a manner to avoid interference with a casement window.

It is another object of the invention to provide novel structure for providing a hip configuration in a roll-up awning. It is another object of the invention to provide novel supporting structure for a roll-up awning which includes a lower support, an intermediate support, and means for coordinating the movements of the supports.

The foregoing, along with additional objects and advantages, will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a roll-up awning supported in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the awning being shown in lowered position mounted on a window frame provided with a casement window;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the awning and the window frame with which it is associated;

Figure 3 is a side elevation similar to that of Figure 1, but with the awning in raised position;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 2, but showing the awning in raised position;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken generally along the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken generally along the line 66 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary front elevation generally similar to Figure 4, but illustrating a modified form of the invention;

Figure 8 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken generally along the line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical section generally similar to Figure 5, but with the upwardly extending bracket arm shown in elevation and provided with a tor- Sion spring;

Figure 10 is a side elevation generally similar to Figure 1, but showing a modified form of the invention;

Figure 11 is :a side elevation generally similar to Figure 3, but showing the invention in the form of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary front elevation generally similar to Figure 2, but showing the invention in the modified form of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken generally along the line 1313 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line 14-14 of Figure 10;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary vertical section generally similar to Figure 13, but showing a further modified form of the invention;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary vertical section generally similar to Figure 13, but showing a still further modified form of the invention; and

Figure 17 is a fragmentary bottom plan view taken from below Figure 16.

Considering first the form of the invention as illustrated in Figures 1-6, a roll-up awning, designated generally by the numeral 20 comprises a flexible curtain 22, a lower support assembly 24, and an intermediate support assembly 26. As here illustrated, the awning 20 is mounted on a window frame 28, the upper end of the curtain 22 being secured by means of appropriate fasteners 30 to an upper horizontal portion 32 of the frame 28, and the support assemblies 24 and 26 being pivotally mounted by means of clevis brackets 34 to vertical side portions 36 of the frame 28.

The lower support assembly 24 of the awning 20 includes a spring roller 38 to which the lower end of the flexible curtain 22 is fastened and upon which the curtain may be rolled from the bottom up. The roller 38 is of well-known construction incorporating one or more torsion springs arranged to bias the roller toward rotation in a direction to wind the curtain 22 thereon. The roller 38 also includes a torque rod 40 at each end thereof, the rods 40 being bent at a right angle so that the roller 38, including the rods 40, is of relatively wide U-shape.

Each of the torque rods 40 has a tubular extension member 42 in telescoped engagement therewith, the junction between the engaged elements being strengthened by means of ferrules 44. The other end of each member 42 is provided with a reinforcing thimble 46 which, along with the received end of the member 42, is pivotally engaged in a respective clevis bracket 34 by means of an individual pivot pin 48.

As clearly indicated in Figures 2 and 3, the overall width between the torque rods 40 exceeds the overall width of the window frame 28. However, each of the extension members 42 is bent as shown in Figure 4 to provide an offset portion 50 at a predetermined distance from the pivoted end of the member. These offsets enable the pivoted end of each member 42 to be engaged with a bracket 34 mounted adjacent the inner edge of a respective vertical frame member 36. The brackets 34 are provided with vertical slots 52 through which screws 54 are inserted for securing the brackets to the members 36.

The intermediate support assembly 26 includes a crossrod 56 bent into the shape of a wide U, as best shown in Figures 2 and 4, to provide parallel leg portions 58. Each of the leg portions 58 has a tubular extension member 60 in adjustable telescoping engagement therewith, set screws 62 being provided as shown in Figure 5 for securement of the telescoped elements in adjusted position. The lower end of each extension member 60 is provided with a thimble 64 similar to the previously described thimbles 46 on the extension members 42. Each thimble 64, how-. ever, is provided with a screw 66 extending axially there t from and secured in adjusted position by a jam nut 68.

Like the lower support assembly 24, the intermediate support assembly 26 is pivotally mounted by means of pivot pins 48 inserted through brackets 34, the brackets 34 which support the intermediate support assembly 26, however, being mounted adjacent the outer edgesof the respective vertical frame members 36. As is evident from Figures 3 and 4, this arrangement enables the extension members 60 to be interposed between the frame members 36 and the offset portions 50 of the extension members 42 when the awning 20 is in raised position. The significance of this will appear later.

Figure 7 illustrates an awning. generally designated by the numeral 70 which, while generally similar to the above-described awning 2i), differs from the latter in the arrangement of its supporting elements. Thus, while the awning 70 includes a curtain 22 which is similar to that of the awning 20', it substitutes a lower support assembly 72 and an intermediate support assembly 74 for the corresponding assemblies 24 and 26 above-described.

Figure 7 shows the arrangement and installation of the curtain 22 to be substantially as described for the awning 20, the only diiference being that the overall width relative to the width of the window frame 28 is less for the awning 70 than for the awning 20. With this narrower relative width of the curtain 22, the overall Width between the torque rods 40 of the spring roll 38 is such that, as illustrated in Figure 7, extension members 76 may extend without deviation from their telescoped engagement with the rods 40 directly to brackets 34 which are disposed adjacent the outer edges of the vertical frame members 36. Except for the relatively narrower width of the spring roller 38, and this substitution of the straight extension member 76 for the offset member 42, the lower support assembly 72 is identical with the lower support assembly 24 of the awning 20.

The intermediate support assembly 74 of the awning 70 also differs in the matter of relative width from the corresponding assembly 26 of the awning 20, this difference being accommodated in the cross-rod 56. Each of the remaining elements of the intermediate support assembly 26 appears without change in the intermediate support assembly 74. In addition, however, the latter is provided with a transversely extending arm 78 preferably formed from strip stock as illustrated in Figure 8. One of these arms 78 is pinned by means of a rivet 80 to each of the extensions 60 of the assembly 74. The arms 78 are disposed somewhat more than half-way up the member 68 and, as is evident from the drawing, each arm 78 is eifective to engage an associated extension member 76 when adjacent members 60 and 76 are brought into approximate transverse alignment.

Figure 9 illustrates the use of a torsion spring 82 for biasing a tubular extension 60 toward a desired position for supporting an intermediate portion of the curtain 22.

Obviously, springs 82 may be thus employed in connection with members 60 both in the intermediate support assembly 26 of the awning 20 and in the intermediate support assembly 74 of the awning 70.

Figures -14 illustrate still another form of the present invention. Here, a roll-up awning indicated generally by the numeral 90 includes, beside a flexible curtain 22, a lower support assembly 92 and an intermediate support assembly 94. The assemblies 92 and 94, while generally similar to the corresponding assemblies in the awnings and 70 above-described, differ specifically therefrom both in structural configuration and in mounted arrangement.

Considering the lowger support assembly, it is evident from a comparison of corresponding figures of the drawings that the assembly 92 of the awning 90 diifers from the assembly 72 of the awning 70 only in that a curved extension member 96 is utilized in place of the previously described straight extension member 76. All other elements of the assembly 72 appear without change in the assembly 92.

Unlike the awnings 20 and 70, the awning is mounted in a single pair of clevis brackets. These brackets, designated by the numeral 98, are mounted adjacent the outer edges of respective vertical members 36 of a window frame 28 as are certain of the brackets 34 above described. The brackets 98 differ from the brackets 34 only in the size and outline form of the parallel side plates and in the provision of two transverse pins 48 in each of the brackets 98 as against one in each of the brackets 34. Thus, each bracket 98 may accommodate, not only the pivoted end of an extension member 96 of the lower support assembly 92, but also the pivoted end of a tubular side member 100 of the intermediate support assembly 94.

As is clear from each of the Figures 10-13, the pivot point for the member 100 is above that for the associated member 96 and also closer to the vertical frame member 36. The eflicacy of this arrangement is evident from Figure 13, wherein it is apparent that the member 96 is free to pivot without restraint between its normal limits of movement. At the same time, by virtue of a diagonally terminated lower end extension 102 on each side member 109, the latter is limited to predetermined forward pivotal movement.

In addition to the parallel side members 100, the inter mediate support assembly is provided with an appropriate cross-member for interconnecting the members 100 and for supporting an intermediate portion of the curtain 22. While a U-shaped cross-rod 56 having parallel legs 58, as previously described, could of course be employed for these purposes, the intermediate support assembly 94 here illustrated utilizes a tubular cross-member 104 provided at each end with a thimble 106. A second thimble 108 is secured by means of a bolt assembly 110 to each of the thimbles 106 so as to extend transversely therefrom as clearly shown in Figure 14. Each thimble 108 in turn receives the upper end of a respective side member 100.

Figure 15 illustrates a modification of the awning 90 wherein the tubular side members 100 are replaced with side members 112. The latter members are identical with the members 100 except for that portion which extends below the associated pivot pin 48. Thus, each member 112 has its lower end formed to provide a tablike extension 114 having the configuration clearly shown in Figure 15. The extension 114 includes a curved portion 116 and a straight portion 117, the latter adapted for limiting abutment with the bight portion of an associated mounting bracket 118. The concave side of the curved portion 116 accommodates an end fitting having complementary shape, as shown in the broken lines of Figure 15. One of these fittings 120 replaces each of. the thimbles 46 on the tubular extensions 96 abovedescribed.

The mounting brackets 118 employed in the modification of Figure 15 are identical with the previously described brackets 98 except for the location of the pins 48 which mount the pivoted ends of the extension members 96. In the brackets 118, these pins 48 are located so as to provide the illustrated contiguous relation of the fittings 120 and the tab-like extensions 114.

Figures 16 and 17 illustrate a further modification of the awning 90 wherein the tubular side members 96 and 100 are replaced with side members 122 and 124, respectively. The members 122 and 124 are preferably somewhat longer than their counterparts and are provided with complementary hinge members 126 and 128 at their lower ends. As is clear from the drawing, the members 126 and 128 are secured by means of rivets 130, or the like, to their respective extension members, and are pivotally joined to each other by means of hinge pins 132.

Each of the extension members 124 is provided with a transverse hole 134 a predetermined distance above its lower end for receiving a pivot pin 48 by means of which lower ends of each pair of hinged members 122 and 124 are retained within an individual mounting bracket 136. Preferably, each bracket 136 is provided with spaced apertures 138 so that the extension member 124 may be pivotally mounted a selected distance from the bight portion of the bracket 136.

In use, the awnings of the present invention are normally associated with windows of the outwardly swinging casement type, such as the illustrated window 140. The curtain 22 is at all times under tension by virtue of its connection to the spring roller 38. Thus, each of the awnings is continually biased toward its fully raised position, as shown in Figures 3, 4, 7, l1 and 12. Any of the awnings may be disposed in the lowered position of Figures 1, 2, or by pivoting its lower support assembly downwardly so as to unroll the curtain 22 from the spring roller 30. Obviously, the awnings may occupy any position intermediate the fully raised and fully lowered positions, and a tape or cord 142 is normally provided to secure the awnings in adjusted position.

As best shown in Figures 1 and 10, the function of the intermediate support assemblies, such as 26 and 94, are to support the intermediate portion of the associated curtain 22 so as to provide a hipped configuration which avoids interference with the window 140. It will, of course, be understood that the intermediate support assembly 74, shown only in raised position in Figure 7, functions for a similar purpose.

While the positions of the lower support assemblies, which include the spring rollers 38, are variable in the use of the several awnings herein described, the intermediate support assemblies normally occupy either a fully raised or a fully lowered position. The latter, in the case of the intermediate support assemblies 26 and 74 is determined by the position of the screws 66 at the lower end of the side extensions 60. In the case of the intermediate support assembly 94, the forward or lowered position is determined by abutment of the diagonal end portions 102 or, in the modifications of Figures and 16, by abutment of either the tab-like extensions 114 or the hinge members 128 with the bight portions of the associated mounting brackets.

The raised positions of the several intermediate support assemblies are effected by abutment with the side members of the lower support assemblies associated therewith. For example, in the awning 20, the offset portions 50 of the side extensions 42 engage the extentions 60 of the intermediate support assembly 26 as the awning is raised. This abutment, of course, carries the intermediate support assembly 26 along with the lower support assembly 24 during the remaining upward movement of the latter. In the case of the awning 70, the extensions 76 of the lower support assembly 72 engage the arms 78 afi'ixed to the extensions 60 of the intermediate support assembly 74 for similar coordinated movement. Finally, in the case of the awning 90, and its illustrated modifications, the mounting of both the lower support assembly 92 and the upper support assembly 94 in the same mounting brackets insures direct abutment of these assemblies in the raising of the awning 90.

Frequently, as is evident from the drawings, the intermediate support assemblies are not raised to a completely vertical position and may therefore fall forwardly by gravity as the respective awnings are lowered. The use of a torsion spring in the manner illustrated in Figure 9, however, insures that the intermediate support assembly will be moved quickly and positively to its intended lowered position.

The arrangement of Figure 13 also provides for positive forward movement of the intermediate support assembly upon lowering of the awning. In the latter case, pivotal movement of the fitting 46 at the lower end of the tubular extension 96, acts against the lower extension of the member 100 to urge the latter toward its intended lowered position.

The modification of Figure 15, in addition to urging the intermediate support assembly toward its lowered position, effectively locks it there by virtue of the interfit between the fitting and the arcuate portion 116 of the tab 114.

Finally, the modification of Figures 16 and 17 effects forward movement of the intermediate support assembly through establishment of a moment about the pin 48 when the lower support assembly is pulled down. This condition is clearly illustrated by the broken lines of Figure 16.

Clearly, there has been provided supporting structure for roll-up awnings which fulfills the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings have been given only by way of illustration and example. It is further understood that changes in the form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, and the substitution of equivalent elements, all of which will be apparent to those Skilled in the art, are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a roll-up awning, a flexible curtain having an upper end adapted for securement to a window frame or the like at an upper level thereof, means including spring roller means secured to a lower end of the curtain for supporting the same in tension at an inclination to the vertical, and means engageable with the intermediate portion of the curtain for supporting the same in a hipped configuration, said latter means including a generally U-shaped assembly having a bar-like bight portion and elongated side members for pivoted attachment at a lower level of said window frame, said pivoted attachment comprising pivot pins through the axes of the elongated side members, and means for predetermining the supporting position of said supporting means, said predetermining means including axial extensions of said side members downwardly beyond their pivoted attachment for engaging a fixed vertical surface, and means for adjustably limiting the pivotal movement of the U-shaped assembly so as to retain the bight portion thereof at a predetermined lowered position when the awning is in lowered condition, said latter means comprising positionable means for varying the level at which the extended ends of the side members engage the fixed vertical surfaces.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the supporting means which engages the spring roller means comprises a second U-shaped assembly having a bight portion and elongated side elements, the later for pivoted attachment adjacent the pivoted attachment of the first-mentioned U-shaped assembly.

3. A roll-up awning portion, in combination, a flexible curtain, a lower support assembly, and an intermediate support assembly, said assemblies being adapted for adjacent fixed pivotal mounting and each comprising a generally U-shaped structure having a bight portion in remote swinging relation to the pivotally mounted leg portions, the bight portion of the lower support assembly comprising a spring roller and the bight portion of the intermediate support assembly comprising a bar-like crosspiece, and adjustable stop means comprising extensions of the free ends of the leg portions of the intermediate support assembly beyond the fixed pivot points thereof for limiting the pivotal swing of the intermediate support assembly so as to retain its crosspiece in a selected lowered position when said spring roller is disposed in any further lowered position.

4. A roll-up awning comprising, in combination, a flexible curtain, a lower support assembly, and an intermediate support assembly, said assemblies being adapted for adjacent pivotal mounting including fixed pivot points in the intermediate assembly for movement about a stationary pivotal axis, said assemblies each comprising a generally U-shaped structure having a bight portion in remote swinging relation to the pivotally mounted leg portions, the bight portion of the lower support assembly comprising a spring roller and the bight portion of the intermediate support assembly comprising a bar-like crosspiece, and adjustable stop means comprising extensions of the free ends of the leg portions of the intermediate support assembly beyond the fixed pivot points thereof for limiting the pivotal swing of the intermediate support assembly so as to retain its crosspiece in a selected lowered position when said spring roller is disposed in any further lowered position.

5. The combination of claim 2 wherein the bight portion of one of the support assemblies is wider than that of the other, and wherein the pivot ends of the support assembly having the wider bight portion are disposed between the pivot ends of the support assembly having the narrower bight portion.

6. The combination of claim 2 wherein the bight portions of the support assemblies are of unequal width, and wherein the pivot ends of one support assembly References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 359,293 Thalheirner et al Mar. 15, 1887 1,222,907 Truemper Apr. 17, 1917 1,476,464 Poulsen Dec. 4, 1923 1,594,238 Benton July 27, 1926 1,750,285 Schuler Mar. 11, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS 10,856 Great Britain May 7, 1912 

